Calories on menus ‘may add to eating disorders’

A recovered anorexic fears calorie-counting restaurant menus could push some people into eating disorders.

Beth Sawyer, who is writing a PhD in protein chemistry at Cambridge University, is worried by a new Government scheme aimed at encouraging healthy eating.

Under the scheme, 18 major food outlets, including high street brands such as Subway and Pret A Manger, will print calorie counts for individual meals on their menus.

But Ms Sawyer, 26, said the menus would encourage “obsessive thinking”.

She added: “In a society torn between the two extremes of increases in obesity and anorexia, what is needed is a sensible and well thought out response, one that focuses on root causes, on education about nutritional principles, on celebrating the human body regardless of its size and shape, and not just a labelling campaign.”

Ms Sawyer, developed anorexia at the age of 18 and was admitted to hospital numerous times as she fell dangerously underweight. But now she has maintained a healthy body weight for about four years. Her experiences, combined with her studies in biochemistry, have left her with the view that our relationship with food should not rely on numbers.

She said: “Fundamentally, I do not think counting calories is the way to achieve a balanced diet. We need to listen to our bodies and understand the correct proteins and nutrients we need.”

Ms Sawyer said the labelling scheme would not reach the social groups where the problem of obesity was most severe and would not tackle the root cause, such as the ready availability of cheap fast food.

The scheme, announced by the Government and the Food Standards Agency this week, is aimed at giving people “better information so they can make informed choices when eating out”. It is set to launch by the end of the month.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said research showed people wanted to see calorie information on menue. She added: “This won’t solve the obesity problem on its own, but it is one of a number of steps we are taking to curb one of the most serious challenges we face.”

View source